OREANDA-NEWS. July 06, 2010. Gazprom and the Government of the Republic of Belarus have signed the Protocol on contributions by Beltransgaz, the joint Russian-Belarusian gas transmission company, to the Innovation Fund of the Republican Energy Ministry.

Pursuant to the Protocol, the Belarusian party shall set the amount of contributions by Beltransgaz to Belarusian innovation funds in 2011–2012 at the level not exceeding the minimum contribution amount adopted in the Republic.

The Belarusian party guarantees not to impose individual taxes, charges and contributions on Beltransgaz. It is planned to use the funds released from a reduction in contributions to the innovation fund for underground gas storage facilities construction in Belarus.

The decisions were made in furtherance of the accords stipulated by the protocol of December 31, 2006 on setting up the joint Russian-Belarusian gas transmission company, Beltransgaz.

In addition, Gazprom and Beltransgaz signed the Addendum to the gas supply and transit contract for 2007–2011.

Due to the fact that the Belarusian party raised the 2010 wholesale markup for the gas sold by Beltransgaz to USD 11.09, as it was agreed on when Gazprom was purchasing a stake in the company, the rate for Russian gas transit via Beltransgaz owned networks will be equal to USD 1.88 per 100 kilometers in 2010.